NATA strongly encourages all athletic trainers to register for their National Provider Identifier number (NPI.

“An NPI number is a professional requirement that adds credibility to the individual and the profession," said Amy Callender, NATA Government Affairs Director. "NATA encourages all members to obtain their NPI number, which will stay with them for the rest of their career, no matter their job setting or employer."

Applying for an NPI number is quick, easy and free. The National Provider Identifier is the result of the mandate in the 1996 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA) that the Secretary of HHS establish a standard national provider identifier. Though all health care providers will be eligible to receive NPIs, covered health care entities will be mandated to use the NPI as the sole provider identifier on all HIPAA electronic transactions. The 10 digit number will be assigned by a CMS-funded NPI “Enumerator” through the NPPES (National Provider and Plan Enumeration System). The NPI is a numeric 10 digit identifier, consisting of 9 numbers plus a check-digit in the 10th position. It is accommodated in all standard transactions and contains no embedded information about the healthcare provider that it identifies. When filling out your application useProvider Code 22 (Respiratory, Rehabilitative & Restorative Service Providers) and Taxonomy Code 2255A2300X (Athletic Trainer)